What a week! We’ve had the fun experience of training employees on our new espresso machine. Look for it to be installed soon: we’re going old school, back to our roots, to a lever machine. No fancy buttons, just levers and knobs. We have such great camaraderie among our staff that it was a joy to practice on the new machine together. Tonight the other half of the staff will be visiting our garage to play with it: I’m sure that it will be another good time. You can see the pictures on our Facebook page here.

Can you spot Dad and Grandpa watching in the background? Three generations of Fike men.

I enjoyed the evening, but my favorite part was letting Jack try and make a drink after everyone else left. He was standing on tiptoes the whole time, using both hands to pull the lever. I even showed him how to steam milk. Aunt Becky took pictures of the event, and I’ll try to post them to our blog later today. He made a beautiful latte, and he was so proud of himself. We didn’t have any decaffeinated beans, so he only got to try two sips (a wired eight-year-old at 8 pm would be bad!).

This week we have a new Organic Nicaraguan coffee for you. This family owned estate has been in the same family since the president of Nicaragua was deposed in 1979. His lands, which encompassed the entire territory, were divided among the local farmers. Now this El Paraiso estate is run by the children of the original owners, and under the name J and M family they grow an excellent organic coffee.

This Organic Nicaraguan is roasted light so that you can taste all the chocolate-y and nutty flavors of the bean. I may have had too much of this coffee today (is that possible?) since this is one of my favorite flavor profiles. It has a medium body and the flavors linger in your mouth as you sip. I highly recommend this with a chocolate bar for a treat. Mmmm.

I hope that you all enjoy your weekend. The fall colors have been splendid lately. Last night we had a marvelous meal at the New Moon Cafe, sitting outside on the front porch. It was relaxing and calm after the day I spent with first graders at Bishop’s Pumpkin Patch. Not only was the food fresh and seasonal (chanterelle mushrooms!), but the view was of a gigantic maple tree ablaze in red and orange. What a beautiful place we live!

If you’re out looking at the autumnal splendor, stop by and try a free cup of this Nicaraguan on us. Use the code excellent organic*. Organic Nicaraguan would be a great accompaniment to a view-the-colors-drive. However, if you’re more the sit at home type, check out the great fall pictures on the Outside Inn blog. Either way, enjoy good coffee!
–Holly Fike